Control circuits for automatic clothes washing machines



April 20, 1965 F. D. LOW 3,178,914

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed May 10,1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 N d N a 3 3 a v x l .2 "Q MO d O a) u 8 m N r N vN S" f K E o Q'EII /-cn s g E Q X N g i INVENTOR. E Pran/rlZLow April1965 F. D. LOW

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 10, 1963 April 20, 1965 F. D. LOW 3,178,914

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed May 10,1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 HOT WATER SOLENOID 230.

com WATER SOLENOID ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM INVENTOR.

Fran/r B Low Aprll 20, 1965 F. D. LOW 3,178,914

CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES Filed May 10,1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 R AGITATE FUNCTIONS LL 2 FILL-HOT 5 RINSE HOT SOL.

FILL 75 COLD soL.

RINSE cow soL.

POWER RINSE PART FILL WASH ROTATION SPIN ROTATION SPIN ROTATION WASHROTATION SPIN POWER WASH POWER NORMAL FILL 9| MOTOR LATCH 3 BY PASS SOAKCYCLE TIME INTERVALS- 45 SECONDS EACH, 6 BETWEEN ADJACENT POSITIONS,

1N VEN TOR. 7 Fran/r 17. Low

United States Pat nt 3,173,914 CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHESWASHING MACHINES Frank D. Low, La Grange Park, Ill., assignor to GeneralElectric Company, a corporation of New York Filed May 10, 1963, Ser. No.279,542 11 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The present invention relates to controlcircuits for automatic clothes washing machines, and more particularlyto improved control circuits of the general character disclosed in US.Patent No. 2,957,329, granted on October 25, 1960 to Vito Re.

It is a general object of the invention to provide in a clothes washingmachine including a tub adapted to receive clothes to be washed, firstmechanism operative to introduce water into the tub, second mechanismoperative to agitate the clothes in the water in the tub, and thirdmechanism operative to expel the water from the tub and from the clothestherein, the combination comprising a program controller having a washcycle, and a manually operable soak control switch that is selectivelyoperative to preset different particular operations of the threemechanisms mentioned in response to operation of the program controllerthrough it wash cycle, thereby to preset corresponding different Washcycles in the machine and involving a quiescent soaking phase of theclothes in the water in the tub thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide in the clothes Washingmachine combination described, the arrangement of the soak controlswitch having regular wash and automatic soak positions, wherein theregular wash position of the soak control switch presets the wash cyclein the machine to exclude the quiescent soaking phase mentioned and theautomatic soak position of the soak control switch presets the washcycle in the machine to include the quiescent soaking phase mentioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide in the clothes washingmachine combination described, the arrangement of the soak controlswitch having automatic soak and extended soak positions, wherein theautomatic soak position of the soak control switch presets the washcycle in the machine to include the quiescent soaking phase mentioned ofshort time duration and the extended soak position of the soak controlswitch presets the wash cycle in the machine to include the quiescentsoaking phase mentioned of extended time duration.

Another object of the invention is to provide in the clothes washingmachine combination described, the arrangement of the soak controlswitch having regular wash and automatic soak and extended soakpositions, wherein the respective positions of the soak control switchrespectively preset the wash cycle in the machine to exclude thequiescent phase mentioned and to include the quiescent phase mentionedof short time duration and to include the quiescent phase mentioned ofextendedtime duration.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washingmachine of the type described, the combination comprising a programcontroller including a shaft mounted for both rotary movement and axialmovement, wherein the shaft has a rotary start position and a pluralityof rotary control positions and also an anal start position and an axialstop position, a first control arrangement'responsive to manual axialmovement of the shaft into its axial start position for initiatingrotary movement of the shaft from its rotary start position through itsrotary control positions, a second control arrangement responsive torotary movement of the shaft through its rotary control positions forimparting axial movement thereto so as to return the same back into itsaxial stop position and then for continuing rotary movement of the3,178,914 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 shaft to return the same back into itsrotary start position and then for arresting further rotary movement ofthe shaft, and control circuits selectively governed by the rotarymovement of the shaft through its rotary control positions forselectively operating the three mechanisms mentioned to produce a washcycle in the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washingmachine of the character described, the combination of a programcontroller and a soak control switch both of the arrangements previouslynoted.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a clotheswashing machine of the character described, the combination of a programcontroller of the arrangement previously noted, and a fill controlswitch having partial fill and complete fill positions, together with afill circuit control, so that the amount of water that is introducedinto the tub by the operation of the first mechanism mentioned duringthe beginning of the wash cycle produced by the program controller is inaccordance with the position of the fill control switch.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the elements of the electric control circuit for the clothes washingmachine, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating featuresthereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a combined schematic illustration and skeleton front view ofan automatic clothes washing machine incorporating an electric controlcircuit embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the manually operable dial forming a part ofthe program controller that is incorporated in the electric controlcircuit of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged lateral sectional view of the inner end of thedrive shaft forming a part of the program controller mentioned;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the inner endof the drive shaft, as shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6, taken together, are a diagram of the electric controlcircuit embodying the present invention and incorporated in the machineshown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a time-sequence control chart of the control cams carried bythe drive shaft of the program controller incorporated in the electriccontrol circuit shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the clothes washing machine 10there illustrated is of the spin-tub type and of the generalconstruction and arrangement of that disclosed in U.S. Patent No.2,639,618, granted on May 26, 1953, to Jacob W. McNairy. Moreparticularly, the machine 10 comprises a substantially square supportingbase 111 carrying wall structure defining an upstanding casing 12including a substantially horizontally disposed top wall 13 having a topopening therein and provided with a cooperating top door 14 arranged formovements between open and closed positions with respect thereto. Housedwithin the casing 12 is an upstanding drain tub 15 that is suitablysupported upon the base 11 and provided with an open top that is sealedagainst the underside of the top wall 13 in surrounding relation withrespect to the top opening therein. A unitary mechanism 16 is arrangedin upstanding position in the lower portion of the casing 12 andsuitably supported upon the base 11 by structure indicated at 17. Themechanism 16 includes a casing 18 that is arranged in an openingprovided in the bottom wall of the drain tub 15 and sealed in place,whereby the lower portion of the casing .18.is disposed below the bottomwall of the drain tub 15 and the upper portion of the casing 18 isdisposed above the bottom wall of the drain tub 15. The casing 18 housesin the lower portion thereof an electric drive motor 46 of thereversible-rotor type that is also of the 4-pole, split-phase, inductiontype, as described more fully hereinafter; .the rotor of which drivemotor 40 is operatively connected to a water pump, not shown, that isalso housed within the casing 18. In the arrangement, the pump mentionedis provided with an inlet to which there is connected an inlet conduit15a communicating with the bottom of the drain tub 15, and also anoutlet to which there is connected an outlet conduit extending to drainplumbing, not shown. In the arrangement, rotation of the rotor of thedrive motor 40', in at least the reverse direction thereof, operates thepump mentioned, so that any water in the drain tub 15 is pumpedtherefrom to the drain plumbing via the conduits 15a and 15b in anobvious manner.

Also, the unitary mechanism 16 comprises an outer rotatable element 19arranged adjacent to the upper end of the casing 18 and disposedexteriorly thereof and posi- Itioned in the lower portion of the draintub 15; which rotatable element 19 carries an upstanding spin tub 19athat is of conventional construction provided with a substantiallyannular wall that is upwardly and outwardly flared and having an opentop disposed somewhat below the top opening provided in the top wall 13and in alignment therewith, thereby to accommodate ready placement andremoval of the clothes with respect to the spin tub 19a through the topopening mentioned, when the top door 14 occupies its open position.Further, the unitary mechanism 16 comprises an inner oscillatableelement projecting through the extreme upper end of the rotatableelement 19 and carrying an upstanding agitator 20a arrangedsubstantially centrally within the spin tub 190. Moreover, the upperopen end of the spin tub 19a carries the usual balance ring 1% throughwhich suitable openings 190 are arranged in an annular array for thecentrifugal discharge of the water therethrough from the spin tub 19::into the drain tub 15.

. Finally, the unitary mechanism 16 comprises operative mechanism forselectively interconnecting the rotor of the electric drive motor 40respectively to the agitator 20a and to the spin tub 19a. in thearrangement, when the rotor of the drive motor 40 is rotated in theforward direction, the agitator 20a is oscillated thereby, and when therotor of the drive motor 40 is rotated in the reverse direction, thespin tub 1% is rotated thereby. Of course, oscillation of the agitator20a effects a washing action upon the clothes suspended in the washwater contained in the spin tub 19a, while rotation of the spin tub 19aeffects a water-extraction action upon the clothes contained in the spintub 1%. Specifically, rotation of the spin tub 19a causes the wash watercontained therein to be flung therefrom by centrifugal force and thencauses water absorbed by the clothes to be extracted therefrom bycentrifugal action and flung from the spin tub 19a. The water flung fromthe spin tub 1% is caught by the drain tub 15, whereby it is pumped tothe drain plumbing, not shown, by the operating pump previouslymentioned that is housed within the casing 18 of the unitary mechanism15. In the arrangement, the operative mechanism housed in the casing 18is selectively responsive to the direction of rotation of the rotor ofthe electric drive motor 4% in order to select one or the other of thetwo corresponding actions of the machine it? in an obvious mannenwhereby washing and water-extracting actions rnay be selectivelyeffected upon the clothes contained in the spin tub 19a by selectivelycontrolling the electric drive motor 4i in order to cause rotation ofthe rotor "thereof in the respective forward and reverse directions asrequired, and as explained more fully hereinafter.

Further, the machine 10 comprises a water supply system indicatedschematially as including a hot water supply pipe 21 and a cold watersupply pipe 22, as well as a delivery tube 25 directly communicatingwith the open top of the spin tub 19a. In the arrangement a valve 23 isarranged in the hot water supply pipe 21 and a valve 24 is arranged inthe cold water supply pipe 22. The valve 23 is of the solenoid-operatedtype, the solenoid of which is indicated at 23a; and similarly, thevalve 24 is of the solenoid-operated type, the solenoid of which isindicated at 24a. Moreover, the valves 23 and 24 are biased into theirclosed positions. When the solenoid 23a is energized, the valve 23 isoperated into its open position so that hot water is supplied from thehot water supply pipe 21 via the tube 25 into the spin tub 19a; and whenthe solenoid 24a is energized, the valve 24 is operated into its openposition so that cold water is supplied from the cold water supply pipe22 via the tube 2 5' into the spin tub 19a. Of course, it will beunderstood that the conjoint operations of the valves 23 and 24 intotheir open positions bring about the supply of warm water via the tube25 into the spin tub 19a, as a consequence of the mixing of the hotwater from the hot water supply pipe .21 and the cold water from thecold water supply pipe 2-2. In the machine 10, the water supply system,including the valves 23 and 24, is suitably housed in the casing 12.

The rear portion of the top wall 13 carries an upstanding backsplash 26that, in turn, carries manually settable control equipment that isincorporated in the control circuit of the machine 10. Specifically, theleft-hand side of the backsplash 26 carries a panel 27 behind whichthere are mounted: a wash watertemperature control switch lift), a rinsewater temperature control switch 12% a water level control switch 130, aselect water level control switch 149 and a soak control switch 1%;which switches are of the pushbutton type and readily accessible fromthe front of the machine 10. The righthand side of the backsplash 26carries a program controller that includes a rotatably mounted operatingshaft 51 projecting forwardly through a cooperating hole provided in thefront wall of the backsplash 26 and carrying on the extreme frontendthereof a manually operable dial 52 that cooperates with an associatedindex marker 53 mounted upon the front wall of the backsplash 26.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the wash water temperature control switch 119is of the manually operable pushbutton type, includingthree individualpushbuttons 111, 112 and 113 that are suitably interlocked so that onlyone of these pushbuttons may be operated at any time and so that theoperation or depression of any one of these pushbuttons effects therestoration or projection of the last previously operated one of thesepushbuttons. Similarly, the rinse water temperature control switch is ofthe manually operable pushbutton type, including two individualpushbuttons 121 and 122 that are suitably interlocked in the mannerpreviously explained. Similarly, the water level control switch 13ft isof the manually operable pushbutton type, including three individualpushbuttons 131, 132 and 133 that are suitably interlocked in the mannerpreviously explained. Similarly, the soak control switch 15% is of themanually operable pushbutton type, including three individualpushbuttons 151, 152 and 153 that are suitably interiocked in the mannerpreviously explained. Preferably, the pushbutton switches 11d, 120, and15th are of the construction and arrangement of that disclosed in US.Patent No. 2,431,904, granted December 2, 1947 to John L. Andrews. Thus,it will be understood that in any one of these pushbutton switches 110,etc., when any one of the individual pushbuttons 111, etc, is manuallyoperated, it remains in its operated or depressed posh tion untilanother one of these individual pushbuttons 112, etc., is subsequentlyoperated into its depressed position, so as to restore into itsprojected position, the previously last'operated one of these individualpushbuttons 111, etc. Moreover, each of these pushbutton switches isprefer ably provided with a color control illuminating arrangement ofthe character of that disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,437,555, granted onMarch 9, 1948 to Gregory L. Rees. However, in the interest ofsimplification, the color illuminating system that is normallyincorporated in each of these pushbutton switches 110, etc., has beenomitted from the circuit drawing of FIG. 5. Preferably, the select waterlevel control switch 146 is of the simple manually operable pushbuttontype, including a single pushbutton 141 that is normally biased by anassociated compression spring 142 into its normal or projected position;whereby the pushbutton 141 may be manually actuated against the bias ofthe compression spring 142 into its operated or depressed position.

In the control switch 110, the individual pushbuttons 111, 112 and 113respectively comprise hot and warm and cold pushbuttons; the hotpushbutton 111 controls an associated pair of contacts 114; the warmpushbutton 112 controls two associated pairs of contacts 115 and 116;and the cold pushbutton 113 controls an associated pair of contacts 117.In the control switch 120, the individual pushbuttons 121 and 122respectively comprise cold and warm pushbuttons; and the warm pushbutton122 controls an associated pair of contacts 123. In the control switch130, the individual pushbuttons 131, 132 and 133 respectively comprisepartial fill, normal fill and extra fill pushbuttons; the partial fillpushbutton 131 controls an associated pair of contacts 134; and thenormal fill pushbutton 132 controls an associated pair of contacts 135.In the control switch 150, the individual pushbuttions 151, 152 and 153respectively comprise regular wash, automatic soak and extended soakpushbuttons; the automatic soak pushbutton 152 controls an associatedpair of contacts 154; and the extended soak pushbutton 153 controlsthree associated pairs of contacts 155, 156 and 157. In the controlswitch 140, the single pushbutton 141 is only momentarily manuallyoperable and controls an associated pair of contacts 143.

As shown in FIG. 6, the program controller 59 further comprises aplurality of insulating cams C1 to C8, inclusive, that are rigidlysecured to the operating shaft 51. The cams C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7and C8 respectively control switch springs 71, 74, 77, 80, 83, 86, 89and 92. The switch spring 71 is selectively operative into open andclosed positions with respect to each of the upper and lower cooperatingswitch springs 72 and 73, and also into open position with respect toboth of these switch springs; the switch spring 74 is selectivelyoperative into open and closed positions with respect to each of upperand lower cooperating switch springs 75 and 76 and also into openposition with respect to both of these switch springs; the switch spring77 is selectively operative into open and closed positions with respectto each of upper and lower cooperating switch springs 78 and 79 and alsointo open position with respect to both of these switch springs; theswitch spring 80 is selectively operative into open and closed positionswith respect to each of upper and lower cooperating switch springs 81and 82 and also into open position with respect to both of these switchsprings; the switch spring 83 is selectively operative into open andclosed positions with respect to each of upper and lower cooperatingswitch springs 84 and 85 and also into open position with respect toboth of these switch springs; the switch spring 86 is selectivelyoperative into open and closed positions with respect to each of upperand lower caoperating switch springs 81 and 32 and also and lowercooperating switch springs 87 and 88 and also into open position withrespect to both of these switch springs; the switch spring 89 isselectively operative into open and closed positions with respect toeach of upper and lower cooperating switch springs 90 and 91 and alsointo open position with respect to both of these switch springs; and theswitch spring 92 is selectively operative into open and closed positionswith respect to each of upper and lower cooperating switch springs 93and 94 and also into open position with respect to both of these switchsprings. The operating shaft 51 has a rotary start position, asillustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the switch spring 71 engages the switchspring 72 and disengages the switch spring 73, the switch spring 74engages the switch spring 75 and disengages the switch spring 76,. theswitch spring 77 disengages both of the switch springs 77 and 79, theswitch spring 80 engages the switch spring 81 and disengages the switchspring 82, the switch spring 83 disengages the switch spring 84 andengages the switch spring 85, the switch spring 86 disengages the switchspring 87 and engages the switch spring 88, the switch spring 89disengages both of the switch springs 90 and 91, and the switch spring92 disengages the switch spring 93 and engages the switch spring 94.

Also, the operating shaft 51 is mounted for longitudinal axial movement,as well as for the rotary movement previously described; whereby theoperating shaft 51 carries a contact bridging member 60 that is adaptedselectively to bridge and unbridge an associated pair of contacts andconstituting a line switch that is employed for a purpose more fullyexplained hereinafter. More particularly, when the manually operabledial 52 is depressed, moved longitudinally toward the front wall of thebacksplash 26, the operating shaft 51 is moved longitudinally inwardlyso as to actuate the line switch 60 into its open position; conversely,when the manually operable dial 52 is withdrawn, or pulled out, awayfrom the front wall of the backsplash 26, the operating shaft 51 ismoved longitudinally outwardly so as to actuate the line switch 60 intoits closed position.

Also, the program controller 50 comprises a shaft 54 that'is mountedonly for rotary movement; and the outer end of the shaft 54 is connectedto the adjacent inner end of the operating shaft 51 by an associatedsleeve-like connector 55 that accommodates the relative longitudinalaxial sliding movement of the operating shaft 51 with respect to theshaft 54, while maintaining the normal rotary connection between theshaft 54 and the operating shaft 51. Further, the program controller 50comprises a timer motor 55 of the synchronous type, preferably aTelechron timer motor that is provided with an operating shaft 56connected to a conventional escapement mechanism 57 having a drivenshaft 58 that is connected by a friction clutch 59 to the adjacent endof the rotatably mounted shaft 54. In the arrangement, the frictionclutch 59 includes two cooperating friction plates that are respectivelyconnected to the adjacent ends of the shafts 54 and 58, thereby toaccommodate rotation of the shaft 54 with the operating shaft 51 underthe manual control of the manual dial 52, without interference with thenormal operation of the escapement mechanism 57. In the programcontroller 50, continuous operation of the timer motor 55 effectsintermittent operation of the escapement mechanism 57, whereby at theexpiration of each time interval of 45 seconds, the driven shaft 58 isoperated or rotated one step of 6, thereby imparting a correspondingstep of rotation through the friction clutch 59 to the shaft 54 andconsequently to the operating shaft 51 and the manual dial 52cooperating with the index marker 53.

Further, the program controller 50 comprises longitudinal or axial resetmechanism, as best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, and that essentiallycomprises a ring or sleeve 61 rigidly affixed to the operating shaft 51and carrying an outwardly or radially projecting pin 62. In turn, thepin 62 cooperates with a reset spring 63 that is externally supported,as indicated at 64. In the arrangement, when the operating shaft 51occupies its rotary start position illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, themanual dial 52 may be manually moved by the operator outwardly withrespect to the front wall of the backsplash 26, whereby the operatingshaft 51 is moved from its axial stop position illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4and 6 into its axial start position. When the operating shaft 51 is thusmoved into its axial start position, the line switch 60 is closed andthe pin 62 carried by the ring 61 is moved axially outwardly withrespect to the extreme .outer end of the reset spring 63 (the pin 62 ismoved above the extreme outer end of the reset spring 63, as illustratedin FIG. 4). more fully hereinafter, at this time, the timer motor 55effects step-by-step rotation of the operating shaft 51 in the clockwisedirection, as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3, through the escapement mechanism57, whereby the operating shaft 51 is rotated out of its normal rotarystart position. After approximately 330 of such rotary movement of theoperating shaft 51 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, thepin 62 is rotated below the extreme outer end of the reset spring 63 sothat continued rotation of the operating shaft 51 in the next 30 andback into its rotary start position causes cooperation beween the pin 62and the extreme outer end of the reset spring 63 so that the operatingshaft 51 is moved inwardly with respect to the front wall of thebacksplash 26 (downwardly with reference to the reset spring 63, asviewed in FIG. 4) and back into its axial stop position. When theoperating shaft 51 is thus moved axially back into its axial stopposition, the line switch 60 is opened in order to terminate operationof the timer motor 55, whereby further rotation of the operating shaft51 is arrested when it occupies its rotary start position, as well asits axial stop position.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the manually operable control dial 52 isprovided with an annular skirt carrying indicia cooperating with theindex marker 53; this indicia is circumferentially arranged and includesa heavy wash segment, a following regular wash segment, a followinglight wash segment, a following spin segment, a following rinsesegment,va following spin segment and an ultimate reset-off segment, thesegments mentioned being disposed in the order named and reading in thecounterclockwise direction. As explained more fully hereinafter: thebeginning of the heavy wash segment.

constitutes-a start-fill position therefor, whereby this As explainedselection is productive of a wash cycle involving operation 0f theagitator 20a during a time interval of about 15% minutes; the beginningof the regular wash segment constitutes a start-fill position therefor,whereby this selection is productive of a wash cycle involving operas Ition of the agitator 20a during a time interval of about 9 minutes; andthe beginning of the light wash segment constitutes a start-fillposition therefor, whereby this selection is productive of a wash cycleinvolving operation of the agitator 20a during a time interval of about3 minutes. Each of the three wash selections mentioned involves a timeinterval of about 3% minutes during which water is filled into the spintub 1%. Further, it is noted that the beginning of the heavy Washsegment also constitutes the previously discussed rotary start positionof the operating shaft 51 of the program controller 50.

Referring to FIG. 6, the drive motor 40 is of the 4- pole, split-phase,induction type, including a reversible rotor 44 and a cooperating statorcarrying a 4-pole run winding 42 and a 4-pole start winding 41. When therun winding 42 is energized with forward polarity, the rotor 44 runs inthe forward direction at about 1725 rpm. effecting oscillation of theagitator 20a at a rate of about 64 cycles per minute. When the runwinding 42 is energized with reverse polarity, the rotor 44 runs in thereverse direction at about 1725 r.p.m., effecting spinning of 45controls a switch spring 49. In the arrangement, when the rotor 44 is atrest, the device 46 is controlled to cause the switch spring 43 todisengage the switch spring 47 and to engage the switch spring 48 and tocause the switch spring 45 to engage the switch spring 49. When therotor 44 is accelerated in, either direction to a speed of about of itsnormal running speed, the device 46 is controlled to cause the switchspring 43 to disengage the switch spring 48 and to engage the switchspring 47 and to cause the switch spring 45 to disengage the switchspring 49. Of course, upon stopping of the rotor 44, the device 46 iscontrolled to cause the return of the switch springs 43 and 45 back intotheir normal positions, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Also, as indicated inFIG. 6, the hot water solenoid 23a and the cold water solenoid 24a arerepresented as two rectangles.

' Considering now in greater detail the control circuit, as illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 6, the same comprises a terminal block 170 to which asource of electric power supply of 1l8-volts, single-phase, A.-C., isconnected; this source including two line conductors L1 and L2. Also,the machine 16 comprises a thermal protective device 171, and a balanceswitch 172. Inthe arrangement, the thermal protective device 171 may beof any suitable type, such, for example, a a resettaole circuit breakeroperative into an open or trip position in response to an overloadcurrent condition for a given short time interval. The balance switch172 maybe of any conventional type, and is operative from a normalclosed position into an open position in response to abnormal vibrationof the machine 10, such as may occur in a spinning operation of the spintub 19a 'with a heavy unbalanced load of clothes therein. In thearrangement, the line conductor L2 is connected via the thermalprotective device 171 and the balance switch 172 in series relation to asupply conductor 173.

Considering now in greater detail the wiring diagram; the switch springs72, 71 and 73 respectively terminate three conductors 174, 175 and 176;the switch springs 75, 74 and 76 respectively terminate three conductors177, 178 and 179; the switch springs 78, 77 and 79 respectivelyterminate the conductor 179 and two c0nduc tors 180 and 181; the switchsprings 81, 80 and 82 respectively terminate the supply conductor 173and two conductors 182 and 183; the switch springs 84, "83 and 85respectively terminate the supply conductor 173, a conductor 184 and theconductor 183; the switch springs 87, 86and 88 respectivelyterminate theconductor 183, a conductor 185 and the conductor 183; the switch springs98, 89 and 91 respectively terminate a conductor 136, the conductor 180and the conductor 185; and the switch springs 93, 92 and 94 respectivelyterminate the line conductor L1, a conductor 187 and the conductor 180.The contacts of the line switch 60 respectively terminate the conductor187 and the line conductor L1. The terminals of the timer motor 55 arerespectively connected to the supply conductor 173 and to a conductor188.

In the control switch the contacts 114 are respectively connected to theconductors 179 and 174; the contacts 115 are respectively connected tothe conductors 179 and 174; the contacts 116 are respectively connectedto the conductors 179 and 177; and the contacts 117 are respectivelyconnected to the conductors 179 and 177. In the control switch 120, thecontacts 123 are respectively connected to the conductors 179 and 176.In the control switch the contacts'134 are respectively connected to theconductors 185 and 181; and the contacts are respectively connected tothe conductors 185 and 186. Inthe control switch 140, the contacts 143are respectively connected to the conductors 185 and 186. In the controlswitch 156): one of the contacts 154 is connected to the conductor 187;one of the contacts 155 is connected to the'conductor 1841; the other ofthe contacts 154 is connected to the other of the contacts 155;

8 the contacts 156 are respectively connected to the conductors 187 and188; and the contacts 157 are respectively connected to the conductors188 and 180.

The hot water solenoid 23a is bridged across the supply conductor 173and the conductor 175; and the cold water solenoid 24a is bridged acrossthe supply conductor 173 and the conductor 178. In the drive motor 40:the run winding 42 is bridged across the supply conductor 173 and theconductor 183; the start winding 41 is bridged across a conductor 189and the conductor 182; the switch springs 45 and 49 are respectivelyconnected to the conductors 184 and 189; and the switch springs 43, 48and 47 are respectively connected to the conductors 180, 179 and 185.

Before proceeding with the particular controls that are carried out bythe program controller 50 in conjunction with the various controlswitches 110, etc., in the automatic cycle of operation of the controlcircuit, reference is first made to the time-sequence control chart ofFIG. 7, wherein there are disclosed the fundamental items of the programcontroller 50 including the control cams C1 to C8, inclusive, the switchspring sets 71-72-73, etc., respectively governed by the control camsC1, etc., as well as the sequence of the opening and the closing of thecontact sets in the cycle of operation of the program controller 50.This chart is read from left to right; and the closure time intervals ofeach pair of switch springs are indicated by solid or filled-in blocks.control cam C1 actuates the switch spring 71 to close the switch spring72 and to open the switch spring 73 during the first six steps of thecycle; the control cam C1 then actuates the switch spring 71 to openboth of the switch springs 72 and 73 during the next three steps of thecycle; the control cam C1 then actuates the switch spring 71 to closethe switch spring 72 and to open the switch spring 73 during the nextsix steps of the cycle; etc. Of course, the other control cams C2, etc.,govern the other switch spring sets 7475-76, etc., in a similar mannerand simultaneously in the cycle of the program controller 50 as isevident from an examination of this chart.

Now assuming that an automatic program is to be carried out in themachine 10, when the manual dial 52 of the program controller 50occupies its rotary start position at the beginning of the heavy washsegment and that the operating shaft 51 is in its axial stop position,the circuits are in the condition illustrated in FIG. 6. Further,assuming that a hot wash and a cold rinse are desired in the program,whereby the hot pushbutton 111 in the control switch 110 is actuated andthe cold pushbutton 121 in the control switch 120 is actuated. Also,assuming that a normal water level is desired in the wash cycle and thatno soaking of the clothes in the water in the spin tub 19a is desired inthe wash cycle, the normal pushbutton 132 in the control switch 130 isactuated and the regular wash pushbutton 151 in the control switch 150is actuated. Finally, it is assumed that this desired program requiresthe heavy wash of the clothes in the wash cycle, corresponding tooperation of the agitator 20a during a time interval of about 15%minutes. At this time the circuits are in the preselected conditionillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6; and hereinafter, this particular programthus preselected is referred to as the basic program.

The operator then places the clothes and the required detergent in thespin tub 19a, and closes the top door 14. In order to initiate thispreselected basic program, the operator merely manually moves thecontrol dial 52 of the program controller 50 outwardly with respect tothe front wall of the backsplash 26, whereby the operating shaft 51 ismoved from its axial stop position into its axial start position so asto close the line switch 60.

In the present example, closure of the line switch 60 completes acircuit for operating the timer motor 55 via the elements L1, 60, 187,156, 188 and 173; whereby the For example: the

timer motor drives or rotates the operating shaft 51 of the programcontroller step by step in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2,out of its rotary start position, this drive connection including theelements 56, 57, 58, 59, 54 and 55. Also, it is noted that at this time,since the operating shaft 51 occupies its axial start position, the pin62 is disposed outwardly of the outer end of the reset spring 63 (abovethe reset spring 63, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4); which arrangement issubsequently involved in resetting the operating shaft 51 back into itsaxial stop position, as explained hereinafter. Also, closure of the lineswitch completes a circuit for energizing the hot solenoid 23a, thiscircuit including the elements L1, 60, 187, 92, 94, 180, 43, 48, 179,114, 174, 72, 71, 175, 23a and 173. Energization of the hot solenoid 23aeffects opening of the hot water valve 23, whereby hot water isintroduced from the hot water pipe 21 via the tube 25 into the spin tub19a.

When the operating shaft 51 of the program controller 50 is rotated intoposition #6 (see the chart of FIG. 7), the control cam C7 actuates theswitch spring 89 to close the switch spring 90, thereby to completeforward start and run circuits for respectively energizing the start andrun windings 41 and 42 of the drive motor 40. The forward start circuitmentioned includes the elements L1, 60, 187, 92, 94, 180, 89, 90, 186,135, 185, 86, 88, 183, 85, 83, 184, 45, 49, 189, 41, 182, 80, 81 and173; and the forward run circuit mentioned includes the elements L1, 60,187, 154, 155, 180, 89, 90, 186, 135, 185, 86, 88, 183, 42 and 173. Thedrive motor 40 starts rotating its rotor 44 in the forward direction;whereby the centrifugal device .46 actuates the switch s rings 43 and45, when the rotor 44 gains about 60% of its normal running speed.Specifically, the device 46 actuates the switch spring 45 to open theswitch spring 49 and actuates the switch spring 43 to open the switchspring 48 and to close the switch spring 47. Opening of the switchsprings 45, 49 interrupts the forward start circuit for the startwinding 41. Opening of the switch springs 43, 48 inter- .rupts thepreviously traced circuit for energizing the hot water solenoid 23a;whereby the hot water valve 23 returns to its closed position to cut-offthe supply of hot water to the spin tub 1911. Opening of the switchsprings 43, 48 interrupts the forward run circuit for the run winding42. Closure of the switch springs 43, 47 completes a forward holdingcircuit for energizing the run winding 42 of the drive motor 40; whichforward holding circuit includes the elements L1, 60, 187, 154, 155,180, 43, 47, 185, 86, 88, 183, 42 and 173. Closure of the forwardholding circuit eifects continued energization of the run winding 42, sothat the rotor 44 accelerates on into its normal running speed in theforward direction. Forward running of the rotor 44 effects oscillationof the agitator 20a to produce a washing action upon the clothessuspended in the hot water in the spin tub 19a in the usual manner. Itis noted that operation of the drive motor 40 was thus initiated inposition #6 of the operating shaft 51; whereby the hot water valve 23was closed, as described above, with the result that the hot water wassupplied into the spin tub 19a during a corresponding time interval ofabout 3% minutes, producing a normal fill of hot water therein for usein the wash cycle. 7 The washing action thus initiated in position #6 ofthe operating shaft 51 continues for a time interval of about 15%minutes, whereupon the operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #27,with the result that the control cam C6 actuates the switch spring 86 toopen the switch spring 88. Opening of the switch springs 86, 88interrupts the forward holding circuit for energizing the run winding 42of the drive motor 40, so that the rotor 44 stops to terminate thewashing action of the agitator 20a in the spin tub 19a. Stopping of therotor 44 causes the device 46 to reset the switch springs 43 and 45 intotheir rest positions, as shown in FIG. 6.

After a pause for a time interval of minute, the operating shaft 51 isrotated into position #28, whereupon the control cam C7 actuates theswitch spring 89 to close the switch spring 91, thereby to completereverse start and run circuits for respectively energizing the start andrun windings 41 and 42 of the drive motor 40. The reverse start circuitmentioned includes the elements L1, 60, 187, 92, 94, 180, 89, 91, 185,86, 87, 183, 82, 80, 182, 41, 189, 49, 45, 184, 83, 84 and 173; and thereverse run circuit mentioned includes the elements L1, 60, 187, 92, 94,180, 89, 91, 185, 86, 87, 183, 42 and 173. The drive motor 40 startsrotating its rotor 44 in the reverse direction; whereby the centrifugaldevice 46 actuates the switch springs 43 and 45 at about 60% normalrunning speed. Specifically, the switch spring 45 opens the switchspring 49 to interrupt the reverse start circuit, and the switch spring43 opens the switch spring 48 to interrupt the reverse run circuit.Also, the switch spring 43 closes the switch spring 47 to complete areverse holding circuit for energizing the run winding 42 of the drivemotor 40; which reverse holding circuit includes the elements L1, 60,187, 92, 94, 180, 43, 47, 185, 86, 87, 183, 42 and 173. The rotor 44then accelerates into its normal running speed in the reverse direction;thereby to effect spinning of the spin tub 19a so as to expel the washwater therefrom and from the clothes therein. The wash water is caughtin the drain tub 15 and pumped to the drain plumbing, not shown, in theusual manner.

The spinning action thus initiated in position #28 of the operatingshaft 51 continues for a time interval of about 4 /2 minutes,whereuponthe operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #34, with theresult that the control cam C6 actuates the switch spring 86 to open theswitch spring 87. Opening of the switch springs 86, 87 interrupts thereverse holding circuit for energizing the run winding 42 of the drivemotor 40, so that the rotor 44 stops to terminate the spinning of thespin tub 19a. Stopping of the rotor 44 causes the device 46 to reset theswitch springs 43 and 45 into their rest positions, as shown in FIG. 6.

After a pause, for a time interval of A minute, the

operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #35, whereby the control camC2 actuates the switch spring 74 to close the switch spring 76, therebyto complete a circuit for energizing the cold solenoid 24a, this circuitincluding the elements L1, 187, 92, 94, 180, 43, 48, 179, 76, 74, 178,24a and 173. Energization of the cold solenoid 24a effects opening ofthe cold water valve 24, whereby cold water is introduced from the coldwater pipe 22 via the tube 25' into the spin tub19a.

When the operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #40, the controlcam C7 actuates the switch spring 89 to close the switch spring90,thereby to complete the previously traced forward start and run circuitsfor respectively energizing the start and run windings 4-1 and 42 of thedrive motor 40. The drive motor 40 starts rotating its rotor 44 in theforward direction; whereby the centrifugal device 46 actuates the switchsprings 43 and 45 in the manner previously described. The switch spring45 opens the switch spring 49 to interrupt the forward start circuit;the switch spring 43 opens the switch spring 48 to interrupt the forwardrun circuit; and the switch spring 43 closes the switch spring 47 tocomplete the forward holding circuit for. energizing the run winding 42of the drive motor 40. Also, opening of the switch I springs 43, 48interrupts the previously traced circuit for energizing the cold watersolenoid 24a; whereby the cold water valve 24 returns to its closedposition to cut-off the supply of cold water to the spin tub 19 a.Therotor 44 is accelerated into its normal running speed in the forwarddirection so as to effect oscillation of the agitator 20a to produce adeep agitated rinsing action upon the clothes suspended in the coldwater in the spin tub 19a in the usual manner. It is noted thatoperation of the drive motor 40 was thus initiated in position #40 ofthe operating shaft 51; whereby the cold water valve 24 was closed, asdescribed above, with the result that the cold 12 water was suppliedinto the spin tub 19a during a corresponding time interval of about 3%minutes, producing a normal fill of cold water therein for use in thedeep agitated rinse cycle.

The deep agitated rinsing action thus initiated in position of theoperating shaft 51 continues for a time interval of A minute; whereuponthe operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #41 to cause the controlcam C3 to actuate the switch spring 77 to close the switch spring 78.Closure of the switch springs 77, 78 completes an alternative circuitfor energizing the cold solenoid 24a; which alternative circuitmentioned includes the elements L1, 68, 187, 92, 94, 180, 77, 78, 179,76., 74, 178, 24a and 173. Energization of the cold water solenoid 24aeffects opening of the cold water valve 24 and the consequentintroduction of cold water into the spin tub 19a during oscillation ofthe agitator 20a, with the result that the deep agitated rinsing actionis converted into a deep agitated overflow rinsing action upon theclothes, the cold water overflowing the top of the spin tub 19a andfalling into the drain tub 15.

This deep overflow agitated rinsing action initiated in position #41 ofthe operating shaft 51 is continued for a time interval of 2% minutes;whereupon the operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #44; whereinthe controlcam C3 actuates the switch spring 77 to open the switchspring 78 so as to interrupt the previously traced alternative circuitfor energizing the cold solenoid 24a in order to effect closure of thecold water valve '24 and the consequent cut-off of the supply of coldwater to the spin tub 19a. At this time, the deep overflow agitatedrinsing action is reconverted to a simple deep agitated rinsing action,and continues for an additional time interval ct A minute; whereupon theoperating shaft 51 is rotated into position #45; wherein the control camC6 actuates the switch spring 86 to open the switch spring 88 so as tointerrupt the forward holding circuit for energizing the run winding 42of the drive motor 40. The rotor 44 then stops to terminate the rinsingaction in the spin tub 19a.

After apause for a time interval of minute, the operating shaft 51 isrotated into position #46, whereupon the control carn C7 actuates theswitch spring 89 to close the switch spring 91, thereby to complete thepreviously traced reverse start and run circuits for respectivelyenergizing the start and run windings 41 and 42 ofthe drive motor 40 Thedrive motor 40 starts rotating its rotor 44 in the reverse direction;whereby the centrifugal device 46 actuates the switchsprings 43 and 45in the manner previously described. The switch spring opens the switchspring 49 to interrupt the reverse start circuit; the switch spring 43opens the switch spring 48 to interrupt the reverse run circuit; and theswitch spring 43 closes the switch spring 47 to complete the reverseholding circuit for energizing the run winding 42 of the drive motor 40.The rotor 44 is accelerated into its normal running speed in the reversedirection so as to eifect spinning of the spin tub 19a in order to expelthe rinse water therefrom and from the clothes therein.

The spinning action thus initiated in position #46 of the operatingshaft 51 continues for a time interval of 6% minutes, whereupon theoperating shaft 51 is rotated into position #55, withthe result that thecontrol cam C6 actuates the switch spring 86 to open the switch spring87. Opening of the switch springs 84, 87 interrupts the reverse holdingcircuit for energizing the run winding 42 of the drive motor 40, so thatthe rotor 44 stops to terminate the spinning of the spin tub 19a.

Also the operating shaft in position causes the control cam C8 toactuate the switch spring 92 to open the switch spring 94 and to closethe switch spring. 93. Closure of the switch springs 92, 93 completes adirect path between the line conductor L1 and the conductor and inparallel with the line switched; thereby to main tain completed theoperating circuit for the timer motor 13 r 55 independently of theposition of the line switch 60. In the next five steps of the operatingshaft 51, between position #56 and position #60, the pin 62 rides underthe reset spring 63, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4; whereby the resetspring 63 acting upon the pin 62 forces the operating shaft 51 to moveaxially inwardly toward the front wall of the backsplash 26 (downwardlyas shown in FIG. 4), whereby the operating shaft 51 is moved axiallyfrom its axial start position back into its axial stop position. Thisresetting of the operating shaft 51 back into its axial stop positioneffects opening of the line switch 69.

At this time, the operating circuit for the timer motor 55 is maintainedby virtue of the closed position of the switch spring 92 with respect tothe switch spring 93. Thus, rotary stepping Of the operating shaft 51 iscontinued so that the same is rotated through position #60 and back intoposition #1, the rotary start position of the operating shaft 51. Inposition #1, the operating shaft 51 causes the control cam C8 to actuatethe switch spring 92 to open the switch spring 93 and to close theswitch spring M. Opening of the switch springs 92, 93 interrupts theoperating circuit for the timer motor 55 so as to arrest further rotarystepping of the operating shaft 51 when it is in position #1. At thistime the operating shaft 51 occupies both its axial stop position andits rotary start position; the circuits are back into the conditionsillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6; and the preset basic program has beencarried out by the program controller 50, on a timed basis. At thistime, the operator may open the top door 14 and remove the clothes fromthe spin tub 19a, since the washing and water-extracting actions havebeen performed thereupon in the machine It) in the basic programdescribed.

Consider now the presetting of a first modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that the desired timeinterval of oscillation of the agitator 20a in the wash cycle is about 9minutes, instead of about minutes. The presetting of this first modifiedprogram is fundamentally the same as that previously described inconjunction with the presetting of the basic program, except that inthis case, the operator rotates the manual dial 52 out of the beginningof the heavy wash position and into the beginning of the regular washposition and then moves the same outwardly with respect to the frontwall of the backsplash 26 into its axial start position. At this time,the operating shaft 51 occupies position #10 when operation of the timermotor 55 is initiated; whereby the hot water valve 23 is opened for afill time interval of about 3% minutes, in the manner previouslyexplained, so that the operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #14in order to initiate rotation of the rotor 44 of the drive motor 40 inthe forward direction, thereby to effect closing of the hot Water valve23 and initiation of oscillation of the agitator a. The Wash cycle thusinitiated in position #14 of the operating shaft 51 proceeds for a timeinterval of about 9 minutes; whereupon the operating shaft 51 is rotatedinto position #27 so as to terminate the wash cycle. The remainder ofthis first modified program is identical to that previously described inconjunction with the basic program and is not repeated in the interestof brevity. 7

Consider now the presetting of a second modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that the desired timeinterval of oscillation of the agitator 20a in the wash cycle is about 3minutes instead of about 15% minutes. The presetting of this secondmodified program is fundamentally the same as that previously describedin conjunction with the presetting of the basic program, except that inthis case, theoperator rotates the manual dial 52 out of the beginningof the heavy wash position and into the beginning of the light washposition and then moves the same outwardly with respect to the frontwall of the backsplash 26 into its axial start position. At this time,the operating 14 shaft 51 occupies .position #18 when operation of thetime motor 55 is initiated; whereby the hot water valve 23 is opened fora fill time interval of about 3% minutes, in the manner previouslyexplained, so that the operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #22in order to initiate the rotation of the rotor 44 of the drive motor 40in the forward direction, thereby to effect closing of the hot watervalve 23 and initiation of oscillation of the agitator 20a. The washcycle thus initiated in position #22 of the operating shaft 51 proceedsfor a time interval of about 3 minutes, whereupon the operating shaft 51is rotated into position #27 so as to terminate the wash cycle. Theremainder of this second modified program is identical to thatpreviously described in conjunction with the basic program and is notrepeated in the interest of brevity.

Consider now the presetting of a third modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that cold water, insteadof hot water, is desired in the wash cycle. The presetting of this thirdmodified program is fundamentally the same as that previously describedin conjunction with the presetting of the basic program, except that inthis case, the cold pushbutton 113, instead of the hot pushbutton 111,is depressed in the wash water temperature control switch 110, prior tomanual operation of the control dial 52 into its \axial start position,in the manner previously explained. In this case, closure of the lineswitch 60 completes a circuit for energizing the cold solenoid 24a whenthe operating shaft 51 is in its rotary start position; which circuitincludes the elements L1, 60, 187, 92, 94, 180, 43, 48, 179, 117, 177,'75, 74, 178, 24a and 173. Energization of the cold solenoid 24a effectsopening of the cold Water valve 24, whereby cold water is introducedfrom the cold water pipe 22, via the tube 25 into the spin tub 19a.Subsequently in position #6 of the operating shaft 51, rotation of therotor 44 of the drive motor 40 is initiated, so as to interrupt theabove traced circuit for energizing the cold water solenoid 24avso as toeffect closure of the cold water valve 24 and initiation of oscillationof the agitator 204:, all in the manner previously explained. Theremainder of this third modified program is identical to that previouslydescribed in conjunction with the basic program and is not repeated inthe interest of brevity.

Consider now the presetting of a fourth modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that warm water, insteadof hot water, is desired in the wash cycle. The presetting of thisfourth modified program is fundamentally the same as that previouslydescribed in conjunction with the presetting of the basic program,execept that in this case, the warm pushbutton 112, instead of the hotpushbutton 111, is depressed in the wash water temperature controlswitch prior to the manual operation of the control dial 52 into itsaxial start position, in the manner previously explained. In this case,the depression of the warm pushbutton 112 in the wash water temperaturecontrol switch 110 connects the conductor 179 to the conductor 174 atthe contacts and connects the conductor 179 to the conductor 177 at thecontacts 116, whereby closure of the line switch 60 completes both thepreviously traced circuit for energizing the hot solenoid 23a and thepreviously traced circuit for energizing the cold solenoid 24a, so thatboth the hot water valve 2-3 and the cold water valve are opened, withthe result that the mixture of the hot water and the cold water isproductive of warm water that is projected via the tube 25 into the spintub 19a during the fill time interval preceding the oscillation of theagitator Zfl'a in the wash cycle. Subsequently in position #6 of the,operating shaft 51, rotation of the rotor 44 of the drive motor 40 isinitiated so as to interrupt, at the switch springs 43, 48 of thecentrifugal device 46, a common point in the circuits for respectivelyenergizing the hot solenoid 23a and the cold solenoid 24a 15 so as toreclose both the hot water valve 23 and the cold water valve 24 in themanner previously explained. The remainder of this fourth modifiedprogram is identical to that previously described in conjunction withthe basic program and is not repeated in the interest of brevity.

Consider now the presetting of a fifth modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that warm water, insteadof cold water, is desired in the rinse cycle. The presetting of thisfifth modified prOgrarn is fundamentally the same as that previouslydescribed in conjunction with the presetting of the basic program,except that in this case, the warm pushbutton 122, instead of the coldpushbutton 121, is depressed in the rinse water temperature controlswitch 120 prior to the manual operation of the control dial 52 into itsaxial start position, in the manner previously explained. In this case,the depression of the warm pushbutton 122 in the rinse water temperaturecontrol switch 121 connects the conductor 179 to the conductor 176 atthe contacts 123; whereby subsequently in the program when the controlshaft 51 is rotated into position #35, the control cam 02 actuates theswitch spring 74 to close the switch spring 76 in order to complete thepreviously traced circuit for energizing the cold solenoid 24a and abranching circuit for energizing the hot solenoid 23a.

This circuit for energizing the hot solenoid 23a includes the elementsL1, 187, 92, 94, 180, 43, 4 8, 179, 123, 176, 73, 71, 175, 23a and'1'73.Accordingly, both the cold water valve 24 and the hot water valve 23 areopened, with the result that the mixture of the cold water and the hotwater is productive of warm water that is projected via the tube 25 intothe spin tub 19a during the fill time interval preceding the oscillationof the agitator 20a in the rinse cycle. Subsequently in position #40 ofthe operating shaft 51 rotation of the rotor 44 of the drive motor 40 isinitiated so as to interrupt at the switch springs 43, 48 of thecentrifugal device 46, a common point in the circuits for respectivelyenergizing the cold solenoid 24a and the hot solenoid 23a so as toreclose both the cold water valve 24 and the hot water valve 23, in themanner previously explained. The remainder of this first modifiedprogram is identical to that previously described in conjunction withthe basic program and is not repeated in the interest of brevity.

Consider now the presetting of a sixth modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that only a partial fillof hot water, instead of a normal fill of hot water, is desired in thespin tub 19a. The presetting of this sixth modified program isfundamentally the same as that previously described in conjunction withthe presetting of the basic program, except that in this case, thepartial fill pushbutton. 131, instead of the normal fill pushbutton 132,is depressed in the water level control switch 13!) prior to the manualoperation of the control dial 52 into its axial start position, in themanner previously explained. In this case, the depression of the partialfill pushbutton 131 in the wash level control swtch 130 connects theconductor 135 to the conductor 181 at the contacts 134 and brings aboutthe projection of the normal fill pushbutton 132 and the consequentopening of the contacts 135 to disconnect the conductor 185 from theconductor 186; whereby closure of the line switch 61 completes thepreviously traced circuit for energizing the hot solenoid 23a so thatthe hot water valve 23 is opened to initiate the introduction of hotwater into the spin tub 1%. In this case, when the operating shaft -1 isrotated into position #5, the forward start and run circuits for therespective start and run windings 41 and 42 are completed as aconsequence of the actuation of the'switch spring 77 to close the switchspring 79 by the control cam C3. These circuits include the elements L1,60, 187, 92, 94, 181), 77, 79, 181, 134, 185, 86, 88 and 183. From theconductor 183, the circuit for energizing the start winding 41 extendsvia the previously traced path to the supply conductor 173; and from theconductor 183 the circuit for energizing the run winding 42 extends tothe supply conductor 173. Accordingly, in this case, forward rotation ofthe rotor 44 of the operating motor 46 is initiated in position #5,instead of in position #6, of the operating shaft 51, whereby the hotsolenoid 23a is deenergized to effect corresponding closure of the hotwater valve 23. Thus, in this case, the fill time interval is 3 minutes,instead of 3% minutes, whereby a resulting partial fill of water iseffected in the spin tub 1% prior to initiation of operation of theagitator 29a in the wash cycle. The depressed position of the partialfill pushbutton 131 in the water level control switch 130 also effects apartial fill with cold water in the spin tub 19a prior to initiation ofthe deep rinse subsequently in the program. Specifically, in position#35 of the operating shaft 51, the fill with cold water is initiated foruse in the rinse cycle; which filling is terminated in position #39 ofthe operating shaft 51, instead of in position #40, as previouslydescribed in conjunction with the basic program. The circuits forstarting forward ninning of the rotor 44 of the drive motor againinclude the switch spring 77 that is closed to the switch spring 79 bythe control cam C3 in position #39 of the operating shaft 51. The otherportions of this modified program are identical to those previouslydescribed in conjunction with the basic program and are not repeated inthe interest of brevity.

Consider now the presetting of a seventh modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that an extra fill of hotwater, instead of a normal fill of hot water, is desired, in the spintub 19a. The presetting of this seventh modified program isfundamentally the same as that previously described in conjunction withthe presetting of the basic program, except that in this case, the extrafill pushbutton 133, instead of the normal fill pushbutton 132, isdepressed in the water level control switch 130 prior to the manualoperation of the control dial 52 into its axial start position, in themanner previously explained. In this case, the depression of the extrafill pushbutton 133 in the Water I level control switch 139 insures theprojection of both the normal pushbutton 132 and the partial fillpushbutton 131, with the result that the conductor 185 is disconnectedfrom the conductor 186 at the open contacts 135 and the conductor isdisconnected from the conductor 181 at the open contacts 134, wherebyclosure of the line switch 6fi completes the previously traced circuitfor energizing the hot solenoid 23a, so that the hot water valve 23 isopened to initiate the introduction of hot water into the spin tub 13a.In this case, rotation of the operating shaft 51 into position #6 iswithout effect, notwithstanding the actuation by the control cam C7 ofthe switch spring 89 to close the switch spring 911, since the conductor186 is disconnected from the conductor185 at the open contacts 135 ofthe projected normal fill pushbutton 132 in the water level controlswitch 130. Accordingly, the filling of the spin tub 19a with hot watercontinues until the operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #7;whereby the control cam C7 actuates the switch spring 89 to close theswitch spring 91, with the result that the forward start and runcircuits for the respective start and run windings 41 and 42 arecompleted. These circuits include the elements L1, 60, 187, 92, 94, 180,89, 91, 185, 36, 88 and 183. From the conductor 183, the circuit forenergizing the start winding 41 extends via the previously traced pathto the supply conductor 173; and from the conductor 183 the circuit forenergizing the run winding 42 extends to the supply conductor 173.Accordingly, in this case, forward rotation of the rotor 4-4 of theoperating motor 40 is initiated in position #7, instead of in position#6, of the operating shaft 51, whereby the hot solenoid 23a isdeenergized to effect corresponding closure of the hot water valve 23.Thus, in this case, the

fill time interval is 4 /2 minutes instead of 3% minutes, whereby aresulting extra fill to overflowing is effected in the spin tub 19aprior to initiation of operation of the agitator 20a in the wash cycle.The depressed position of the extra fill pushbutton 133 in the waterlevel control switch 130 also effects an extra fill with cold water inthe spin tub 19a prior to initiation of the deep rinse subsequently inthe program. Specifically, in position #35 of the operating shaft 51,the fill with cold water is initiated for use in the rinse cycle; whichfilling is terminated in position #41 of the operating shaft 51, insteadof in position #40, as previously described in conjunction with thebasic program. The circuits for starting forward running of the rotor 44of the drive motor 40 again include the switch spring 89 that is closedto the switch spring 91 by the control cam C7 in position #41 of theoperating shaft 51. The other portions of the modified program areidentical to those previously described in conjunction with the basicprogram and are not repeated in the interest of brevity.

An eighth modified program may be effected after presetting the basicprogram and following operation of the manual dial 52 into its axialstart position, in the manner previously explained, merely by themomentary operation of the select water level control switch 140,whereby the operator may, in fact, achieve a fill of hot water in thespin tub 19a preceding the wash cycle that is of sub stantially smallervolume than that obtained when the normal pushbutton 132 of the waterlevel control switch 130 is depressed. In fact this fill may besubstantially smaller than that obtained when the partial fill pushbutton 131 of the Water level control switch 130 is depressed, since thissmall fill is under the direct manual control of the operator.

More particularly, when the line switch 60 is closed, the previouslytraced circuit for energizing the hot solenoid is completed so as toeffect opening of the hot water valve 23 and the consequent initiationof the filling of hot water into the spin tub 19a preceding the washcycle. At any time thereafter and particularly prior to rotation of theoperating shaft 51 into position #6, the operator may determine byinspection that enough hot water is contained in the spin tub 19a forthe present clothes washing operation, whereby the select water levelcontrol switch 140 is momentarily depressed, as previously noted.Depression of the pushbutton 141 of the control switch 140 momentarilycloses the contacts 143 therein, whereby the conductor 180 ismomentarily connected to the conductors 185. This connection of theconductor 189 to the conductor 185 effects the completion of thepreviously traced circuits ,for energizing the start and run windings 41and 42 of the operating motor 40, whereby forward running thereof is'initiated in the manner previously explained. Of course, the rotor 44actuates the centrifugal switch 46 causing the switch spring 43 to openthe switch spring 48 so as to interrupt the previously' traced circuitfor energizing the hot solenoid 23a, with the result that the hot watervalve 23 is closed to terminate the filling with hot water of the spintub 19a at this time. In the foregoing explanation, it was assumed thatthe operator depressed momentarily the pushbutton 141 of the selectwater level control switch 140 prior to the time that the operatingshaft 51 was rotated even into position thereof, whereby the presentsmall fill of the spin tub 19a is substantially smaller than the partialfill thereof as previously explained; which small fill has a volumebased upon the time interval of the filling operation prior todepression of the pushbutton 141 of the select water level controlswitch 140, as explained above. The remainder of the eighth modifiedprogram is identical to that previously described in conjunction withthe basic program and is not repeated in the interest of brevity.

Consider now the presetting of a ninth modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that a short quiescentsoaking phase of the clothes suspended in the wash water in the spin tub19a is desired in the intermediate portion of the wash cycle. Thepresetting of the ninth modified program is fundamentally the' same asthat previously described in conjunction with the presetting of thebasic program, except that in this case, the automatic soak pushbutton152, instead of the regular wash pushbutton 151, in the soak controlswitch is depressed prior to the manual operation of the control dial 52into its axial start position in the manner previously explained. Inthis case, the depression of the automatic soak pushbutton 152 in thesoak control switch 15% opens the contacts 154 to disconnect theconductor 187 from the conductor for a purpose more fully explainedbelow. Operation of the timer motor 55 is initiated in position #1 ofthe operating shaft 51; and subsequently in position #6 of the operatingshaft 51 forward rotation of the rotor 44 of the drive motor 4%) isinitiated in the manner previously explained. Thereafter, when theoperating shaft 51 is rotated into position #8, the control cam C8actuates the switch spring 92. to open the switch spring 94, thereby todisconnect the conductor 187 from the conductor 189; whereby at thistime, the conductor 187 is totally disconnected from the conductor 180by virtue of the open contacts 154 of the depressed automatic soakpushbutbutton 152 in the soak control switch 153, with the result thatthe previously traced forward holding circuit for energizing the runwinding 42 of the drive motor 40 is interrupted causing the rotor 44- tostop, thereby to arrest the oscillation of the agitator 26a and theconsequent washing action thereof in the spin tub 1% at this time.However, the timer motor 55 continues to operate and after a timeinterval of about 12 minutes, the operating shaft 51 is rotated intoposition #24, in order to cause the control cam C7 to actuate the switchspring 89 to close the switch spring 91 and to cause the control cam C8to actuate the switch spring 92 to reclose the switch spring 94. Theclosure of the switch springs 89, 91 and reclosure of the switch springs92, 94 recompletes the previously traced forward start and run circuitsfor the start and run windings 41 and 42 of the drive motor 40, with theresult that the rotor 44 thereof is again rotated in the forwarddirection so as again to initiate oscillation of the agitator 20a, so asagain to effect the washing action in the spin tub 19a. The washingaction continues when thus initiated in position #24 of the operatingshaft 51 for a time interval of about 2% minutes whereupon the operatingshaft 51 is rotated into position #27, whereby again the forward holdingcircuit for energizing the run winding 42 of the drive motor 40 isinterrupted as a consequence of the action of the control cam C6 inopening the switch spring 86 from the switch spring 88. The remainder ofthis modified program is identical so that previously described inconjunction with the basic program and is not repeated in the interestof brevity.

Reviewing this ninth modified program, the wash cycle therein ischaracterized by a first phase of a time duration of 3% minutes in whichhot water is filled into the spin tub 1%, by a second phase of a timeduration of 1 /2 minutes in which the agitator 29a is oscillated, by athird phase of a time duration of 12 minutes in which the agitator 20ais at rest and the clothes suspended in the wash water in the spin tub19a are subjected to a corresponding quiescent soaking action, by afourth phase of a time duration of 2% minutes in which the agitator 20ais oscillated, and by a fifth phase of a short time duration of 4 /2minutes in which the spin tub 19a is spun in order to expel the washwater from the spin tub 19a and from the clothes contained therein.

Consider now the presetting of a tenth modified program, modified withrespect to the basic program in the particular that an extendingquiescent soaking phase of the clothes suspended in the wash water inthe spin tub 19a is desired following the initial portion of the wash 1%cycle. The presetting of the tenth modified program is fundamentally thesame as that previously described in conjunction with the presetting ofthe basic program, except that in this case the extended soak pushbutton153, instead of the regular wash pushbutton 151, in the soak controlswitch 150 is depressed prior to the manual operation of the controldial 52 into its axial start position in the manner previouslyexplained. In this case, the depression of the extended soak pushbutton153 in the soak control switch 150 opens the contacts 155 to disconnectthe conductor 18'? from the conductor 180, opens the contacts rss todisconnect the conductor 187 from the conductor 18S and closes thecontacts 157 to connect the conductor 188 to the conductor 180, all fora purpose more fully explained hereinafter. Operation of the timer motor55 is initiated in position #1 by virtue of the completion of analternative energizing circuit thereof; which alternative circuitincludes the elements Ll, 6d, 187, 92, $4, 180, 157, 188, 55 and 173.Also, in position #1 of the operating shaft 51 the filling of the spintub 19a with hot water is initiated; and subsequently in position-#6 ofthe operating shaft 51 forward rotation of the rotor 44 of the drivemotor 40 is initiated, in the manner previously explained. Thereafterwhen the operating shaft 51 is rotated into position #8, the control camC3 actuates the switch spring 92 to open the switch spring 94, therebyto disconnect the conductor 187 from the conductor 18%; whereby at thistime, the conductor 187 is totally disconnected from the conductor 18%by virtue of the open contacts 155 of the depressed extended soakpushbutton 153 in the soak control switch 150, with the result that thepreviously traced forward holding circuit for energizing the run winding42 of the drive motor 40 is interrupted causing the rotor 44 to stop,thereby to arrest the oscillation of the agitator Zla and the consequentwashing action thereof in the spin tub 19a at this time. Also, thedisconnection of the conductor 187 from the conductor 1% interrupts thepreviously traced alternative circuit for operating the timer motor 55;Whereby further rotation of the operating's'naft 51 is arrested when thesame occupies position #8 thereof in this case. Accordingly, in thiscase, an extended and continuous quiescent soaking action upon theclothes suspended in the wash water in the spin tub 1% takes place. Inthis tenth modified program: position #8 of the operating shaft 51 maybe considered a check position thereof; the contacts "455 may beconsidered a check switch; and the manually operable device orpushbutton 153 may be set or depressed to effect operation or opening ofthe check switch 156. In fact, this extended time interval is continuousuntil operation of the program controller St is again initiated by theoperator; which may be eifected by depressing the regular washpushbutton 151 in the soak control switch 15%, thereby to insure theprojection of the automatic soak pushbutton 152 and of the extended soakpushbutton 153 and the consequent closure of the contacts 154, IE and156, and the consequent opening of the contacts 157. Thus, at this time,the conductor 1&7 is again connected at the contacts 156 to theconductor 188 and the conductor 187 is also connected via the contacts154 and 155 to the conductor 18% The reconnection of the conductor 187to the conductor 188 completes the previously traced initial circuit foroperating the timer motor 55, thereby again to initiate further'rotation of the operating shaft 51 of the program controller beyondposition #8 thereof, all in a manner previously explained. Thereconnection of the conductor 187 to the conductor 1% completes theforward start and run circuits for the start andrun windings 41 and 42of the drive motor til at this time by virtue of the circumstance thatin position #8 of the operating shaft 51 the'control cam C7 actuates theswitch spring 3 to engage the switch spring fil. Thus, further forwardrotation of the rotor 44 of the drive shaft 40 is initiated at this timein order again to initiate oscillation of the agitator Zllaand theconsequent washing action in the spin tub 19a. The re- 2Q mainder ofthis modified program is identical to that previously described inconjunction with the basic program and is not repeated in the interestof brevity.

Reviewing this tenth modified program, the wash cycle therein ischaracterized by a first phase of a time duration of 3% minutes in whichhot water is filled into the spin tub 1%, by a second phase of a timeduration of 1 /2 minutes in which the agitator Zita is oscillated, andby a third phase of an extended and indefinite time duration in whichthe agitator 29a is at rest and the clothes suspended in the wash waterin the spin tub 19a are subjected to a corresponding quiescent soakingaction.

In view of the foregoing explanation of the presetting of the basicprogram and the presetting of the ten individual modified programs, itwill be understood that two or more of the modified programs may bepreset simultaneously, when such modified programs are not mutuallyinconsistent with each other. However, there is never any'confiict inthe setting of the modified programs mentioned by virtue of theinterlocks incorporated in the various ones of the control switches 110,12d, 13!) and 15d. For example, in the wash water temperature controlswitch'lltl, it is impossible to preset simultaneously conflicting washwater temperature controls, since the individual pushbuttons 111, 112and 113 incorporated in this control switch are interlocked therein sothat at any one time only one of the three pushbuttons mentioned may bedepressed. The same situation maintains with respect to the othercontrol switches 12%, and so as positively to prevent the simultaneouspresetting of conflicting modified programs.

Also, by way of review of the basic program, the sixth modified programand the seventh modified program, it is noted that the respective normalfill, partial fill and extra fill of the spin tub 19a with hot water arepredicated upon normal pressure of the water, in the hot water supplypipe 21 (about 45 pounds per square inch). Thus, in the event themachine 10 is operated in an area in which the pressure of the water inthe hot water supply pipe Zll is abnormally low, the three fillsmentioned are correspondingly reduced in volume. This circumstancerenders the seventh modified program extremely valuable, since in thiscase, the operation of the extra fill pushbutton 133 of the controlswitch 130 insures at least a normal fill of the spin tub 1%,notwithstanding the abnormally low water pressure mentioned.Specifically, operation of the extra fill pushbutton 133 presets thefill time interval of 4 /2 minutes, instead of 3% minutes as preset byoperation of the normal pushbutton 132; whereby the spin tub 19areceives at least a normal fill of hot water, even though the pressureof the water in the hot water supply pipe 21 is substantially belownormal as explained above.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided ina clothes washing machine of the automatic type, an improved programcontroller arrangement and improved manually operable program settingarrangement in order to achieve a wide variety of desired washing cyclesselectively including and excluding quiescent soaking phases of theclothes in the wash water I in the wash cycle of the machine.

' While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receiveclothes to be washed, first mechanism operative to introduce water intosaid tub, second mechanism operative to agitate the clothes in the waterin said tub, and third mechanism operative to expel the water from saidtub and from the clothes therein; the combination comprising a programcontroller having a 21 wash cycle including five Sequential phases, aunitary soak control switch having regular wash and automatic soak andextended soak positions, means for initiating operation of said programcontroller, means controlled by initiation of operation of said programcontroller and governed by said soak control switch either in itsregular wash position or in its automatic soak position for causlngoperation of said program controller through all five phases of its washcycle and governed by said soak control switch in its extended soakposition for causing operation of said program controller through onlythe first and second phases of its wash cycle, said program controllerbeing operative through the first and fifth phases of its Wash cyclerespectively to operate said first and third mechanisms, said programcontroller being operative through the second and fourth phases of itswash cycle to operate said second mechanism, said program controllerbeing operative through the third phase of its wash cycle when said soakcontrol switch occupies its regular wash position to cause operation ofsaid second mechanism, said program controller being operative throughthe third phase of its wash cycle when said soak control switch occupiesits automatic soak position to prevent operation of said secondmechanism, whereby operation of said program controller through its washcycle when said soak control switch is in its regular wash position isproductive of a corresponding first wash cycle in said machine andexcluding any quiescent soaking phase of the clothes in the water insaid tub and operation of said program controller through its wash cyclewhen said soak control switch is in its automatic soak position isproductive of a corresponding second wash cycle in said machine andincluding a short quiescent soaking phase of the clothes in the water insaid tub, and means controlled by operation of said program controllerinto the third phase of its wash cycle when said soak control switchoccupies its extended soak position for positively preventingre-operation of said second mechanism, whereby operation of said programcontroller through only the first and second phases of its wash cyclewhen said soak control switch is in its extended soak position isproductive of a corresponding third wash cycle in said machine followedby an extended and indeterminate quiescent soaking phase of the clothesin the water in said tub.

2. The clothes washing machine set forth in claim 1, wherein said firstmechanism essentially comprises a water valve, said second mechanismessentially comprises an agitator arranged in said tub and mounted foroscillation, and said third mechanism essentially comprises aconstruction of said tuo rendering the same of the upstanding spin-tubtype and bearing structure mounting the same for spinning about itsupstanding axis.

3. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid unitary soak control switch is of the pushbutton type andessentially comprises three individual pushbuttons respectivelycorresponding to the three positions thereof, means responsive tooperation of any one of said pushbuttons for actuating the same into thecorresponding one of its positions, and interlock mechanism forpreventing operation at any one time of more than one of saidpushbuttons.

4. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receiveclothes to be washed, first mechanism operative to introduce water intosaid tub, second mechanism operative to agitate the clothes in the waterin said tub, and third mechanism operative to expel the water from saidtub and from the clothes therein; the combination comprising a programcontroller having a wash cycle including five sequential phases, a timermotor for driving said program controller, a unitary soak control switchhaving regular wash and automatic soak and extended soak positions,means for initiating operation of said timer motor, means controlled byinitiation of operation of said timer motor and governed by said soakcontrol switch either in its regular wash position or in its automaticsoak position for continuing the operation of said timer motor to drivesaid program controller through all five phases of its wash cycle andgoverned by said soak control switch in its extended soak position forcontinuing the operation of said timer motor to drive said programcontroller through only the first and second phases of its wash cycle,said program controller being operative through the first and fifthphases of its wash cycle respectively to operate said first and thirdmechanisms, said program controller being operative through the secondand fourth phases of its wash cycle to operate said second mechanism,said program controller being operative through the third phase of itswash cycle when said soak control switch occupies its regular washposition to cause operation of said second mechanism, said programcontroller being operative through the third phase of its Wash cyclewhen said soak control switch occupies its automatic soak position toprevent operation of said second mechanism, whereby operation of saidprogram controller through its wash cycle when said soak control switchis in its regular wash position is productive of a corresponding firstwash cycle in said machine and excluding any quiescent soaking phase ofthe clothes in the water in said tub and operation of said programcontroller through its wash cycle when said soak control switch is inits automatic soak position is productive of a corresponding second washcycle in said machine and including a short quiescent soaking phase ofthe clothes in the water in said tub, and means controlled by operationof said program controller into the third phase of its wash cycle whensaid soak control switch occupies its extended soak position forpositively preventing reoperation of said second mechanism, wherebyoperation of said program controller through only the first and secondphases of its wash cycle when said soak control switch is in itsextended soak position is productive of a corresponding third wash cyclein said machine followed by an extended and indeterminate quiescentsoaking phase of the clothes in the water in said tub.

5. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receiveclothes to be washed, first mechanism operative to introduce water intosaid tub, second mechanism operative to agitate the clothes in the waterin said tub, and third mechanism operative to expel the water from saidtub and from the clothes therein; the combination comprising a programcontroller having a wash cycle including five sequential phases, aunitary soak control switch having regular wash and extended soakpositions, means for initiating operation of said program controller,means controlled by initiation of operation of said program controllerand governed by said soak control switch in its regular wash positionfor causing operation of said program controller through all five phasesof its wash cycle and governed by said soak control switch in itsextended soak position for causing operation of said program controllerthrough only the first and second phases of its wash cycle, said programcontroller being operative through the first and fifth phases of itswash cycle respectively to operate said first and third mechanisms, saidprogram controller being operative through the second and fourth phasesof its wash cycle to operate said second mechanism, said programcontroller being operative through the third phase of its wash cyclewhen said soak control switch occupies its regular wash position tocause operation of said second mechanism, whereby operation of saidprogram controller through its wash cycle when said soak control switchis in its regular wash position is productive of a corresponding firstwash cycle in said machine and excluding any quiescent soaking phase ofthe clothes in the water in said tub, and means controlled by operationof said program controller into the third phase of its wash cycle whensaid soak control switch occupies its extended soak position forpositively preventing re-operation of said second mechanism, wherebyoperation of said program controller 23 through only the first andsecond phases of its Wash cycle when said soak control switch is in itsextended soak position is productive of a corresponding second washCycle in said machine followed by an extended and in determinatequiescent soaking phase of the clothes in the water in said tub.

6. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receiveclothes to be washed, first mechanism operative to introduce water intosaid tub, second mechanism operative to agitate the clothes in the waterin said tub, and third mechanism operative to expel the water from saidtub and from the clothes therein; the combination comprising a programcontroller having a wash cycle including five sequential phases, aunitary soak control switch having automatic soak and extended soakpositions, means for initiating operation of said program controller,means controlled by initiation of operation of said program controllerand governed by said soak control switch in its automatic soak positionfor causing operation of said program controller through all five phasesof its wash cycle and governed by said soak control switch in itsextended soak position for causing operation of said program controllerthrough only the first and second phases of its wash cycle, said programcontroller being operative through the first and fifth phases of itswash cycle respectively to operate said first and third mechanisms, saidprogram controller being operative through the second and fourth phasesof its wash cycle to operate said second mechanism, said programcontroller being operative through the third phase of its wash cyclewhen said soak control switch occupies its automatic soak position toprevent operation of said second mechanism, whereby operation of saidprogram controller through its wash cycle when said soak control switchis in its automatic soak position is productive of a corresponding firstwash cycle in said machine and including a short quiescent soaking phaseof the clothes in the water in said tub, and means controlled byoperation of said program controller into the third phase of itswashcycle when said soak control switch occupies its extended soak positionfor positively preventing re-operation of said second mechanism, wherebyoperation of said program controller through only the first and secondphases of its .wash cycle when said soak control switch is in itsextended soak position is productive of a corresponding second washcycle in said machine followed by an extended and indeterminatequiescent soaking phase of the clothes in the water in said tub.

7. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receiveclothes to be washed, first mechanism operative to introduce water intosaid tub, second mechanism operative to agitate the clothes in the waterin said tub, and third mechanism operative to expel the water from saidtub and from the clothes therein; the combination comprising a programcontroller including a shaft mounted both for axialsliding movementsbetween an axial stop position and an axial start position and forrotary movement in a given direction from a rotary start positionsequentially through a plurality of rotary control positions and thenthrough a rotary return position and then through a rotary resetposition and thence back into its rotary start position, manuallyoperable means for sliding said shaft axially from its axial stopposition into its axial start position, means controlled by rotation ofsaid shaft into its reset position for sliding said shaft axially fromits axial start position back into its axial stop position, a lineswitch, means controlled by said shaft in its axial start position forclosing said line switch and controlled by said shaft in its axial stopposition for opening said line switch, electric motor means operative torotate said shaft in said given direction, primary and secondarycircuits for operating said electric motor means, closing of said lineswitch completing said primary operating circuit and opening of saidline switch interrupting said primary operating circuit, a returnswitch, means controlled by rotation of said shaft and controlled byrotation of said shaft into its rotary start position for opening saidreturn switch, closing of said return switch completing said secondaryoperating circuit and opening of said return switch interrupting saidsecondary operating circuit, a circuit network for selectively operatingsaid three mechanisms named and having a control setting correspondingto a predetermined clothes processing program in said machine, and meansgoverned by said line switch in its closed position and by rotation ofsaid shaft in said given direction sequentially through its controlpositions for selectively controlling said circuit network in itscontrol setting to produce said predetermined clothes processing programin said machine.

8. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 7, whereinsaid electric motor means essentially comprises a synchronous electricmotor and a drive connection between said synchronous electric motor andsaid shaft, so that operation of said synchronous electric motor effectsrotation of said shaft on a timed basis with the result that said shaftis rotated in said given direction through a fixed angle each fixed timeinterval.

9. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receiveclothes to be washed, first mechanism operative to introduce water intosaid tub, second mechanism operative to agitate the clothes in the waterin said tub, and third mechanism operative to expel the water from saidtub and from the clothes therein; the combination comprising a programcontroller including a shaft mounted both for axial sliding movementsbetween an axial stop position and an axial start position and forrotary movement in a given direction from a rotary start positionsequentially through a plurality of rotary control positions and thenthrough a rotary return position and then through a rotary resetposition and thence back into its rotary start position, manuallyoperable means for sliding said shaft axially from its axial stopposition into its axial start position, means controlled by rotation ofsaid shaft into its reset position for sliding said shaft axially fromits axial start position back into its axial stop position, a lineswitch, means controlled by said shaft in its axial start position forclosing said line switch and controlled by said shaft in its axial stopposition for opening said line switch, electric motor means operative torotate said shaft in said given direction, primary and secondarycircuits for operating said electric motor means, closing of said lineswitch completing said vprimary operating circuit and opening of saidline switch interrupting said primary operating circuit, a returnswitch, means controlled by rotation of said shaft into its rotaryreturn position for closing said return switch and controlled byrotation of said shaft into its rotary start position for opening saidreturn switch, closing of said return switch completing said secondaryoperating' circuit and opening of said return switch interrupting saidsecondary operating circuit, a circuit network for selectively operatingsaid three mechanisms named and having a plurality of individual controlsettings respectively corresponding to a plurality of individualpredetermined clothes processing program in said machine, meansincluding a group of manually settable devices for selectivelypresetting said circuit network into its corresponding individualcontrol settings, and means governed by said line switch in its closedposition and by rotation of said shaft in said given directionsequentially through its control positions for selectivelycontrollingtsaid circuit network in any preset one of its individualcontrol settings to produce the corresponding one of said predeterminedclot es processing programs in said machine.

10. The clothes washing machine combination set forth in claim 9,wherein said group of manually settable devices includes a soak controldevice having-first and second settings respectively presetting saidcircuit network into corresponding first and second individual controlsettings respectively corresponding to'first and second individualpredetermined clothes processing programs in said machine, said firstpredetermined clothes processing program comprising a first wash cyclethroughout which said second mechanism is operated continuously, andsaid second predetermined clothes processing program comprising a secondwash cycle including a first phase in which said second mechanism isoperated and a following second phase in which said second mechanism isnot operated and a following third phase in which said second mechanismis reoperated.

11. In a clothes washing machine including a tub adapted to receiveclothes to be washed, first mechanism operative to introduce water intosaid tub, second mechanism operative to agitate the clothes in the waterin said tub, and third mechanism operative to expel the water from saidtub and from the clothes therein; the combination comprising a programcontroller including a shaft mounted both for axial sliding movementsbetween an axial stop position and an axial start position and forrotary movement in a given direction from a rotary start positionsequentially through a first group of rotary control positions and thenthrough a rotary check position and then through a second group ofrotary control positions and then through a rotary return position andthen through a rotary reset position and thence back into its rotarystart position, manually operable means for sliding said shaft axiallyfrom its axial stop position into its axial start position, meanscontrolled by rotation of said shaft into its reset position for slidingsaid shaft axially from its axial start position back into its axialstop position, a line switch, means controlled by said shaft in itsaxial start position for closing said line switch and controlled by saidshaft in its axial stop position for opening said line switch, electricmotor means operative to rotate said shaft in said given direction,primary and secondary circuits for operating said electric motor means,closing of said line switch completing said primary operating circuitand opening of said line switch interrupting said primary operatin gcircuit, a return switch, means controlled by rotation of said shaftinto its rotary return position for closing said return switch andcontrolled by rotation of said shaft into its rotary start position foropening said return switch, closing of said return switch completingsaid secondary operating circuit and opening of said return switchinterrupting said secondary operating circuit, a circuit network forselectively operating said three mechanisms named and having a pluralityof individual control settings respectively corresponding to a pluralityof individual predetermined clothes processing programs in said machine,means including a group of manually settable devices for selectivelypresetting said circuit network into its corresponding individualcontrol settings, a check switch operatively associated with one of saiddevices and operated by setting of said one device, means controlledjointly by said shaft in its check position and by said check switch inits operated position for interrupting said primary circuit, and meansgoverned by said line switch in its closed position and by rotation ofsaid shaft in said given direction sequentially through its controlpositions for selectively controlling said circuit network in any presetone of its individual control settings to produce the corresponding oneof said predetermined clothes processing programs in said machine.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,841,003 7/58Conlee 68-12 2,971,143 2/61 Stillwell 68--12 XR WALTER A. SCHEEL,Primary Examiner.

1. IN A CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE INCLUDING A TUB ADAPTED TO RECEIVECLOTHES TO BE WASHED, FIRST MECHANISM OPERATIVE TO INTRODUCE WATER INTOSAID TUB, SECOND MECHANISM OPERATIVE TO AGITATE THE CLOTHES IN THE WATERIN SAID TUB, AND THIRD MECHANISM OPERATIVE TO EXPEL THE WATER FROM SAIDTUB AND FROM THE CLOTHES THEREIN; THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PROGRAMCONTROLLER HAVING A WASH CYCLE INCLUDING FIVE SEQUENTIAL PHASES, AUNITARY SOAK CONTROL SWITCH HAVING REGULAR WASH AND AUTOMATIC SOAK ANDEXTENDED SOAK POSITIONS, MEANS FOR INITIATING OPERATION OF SAID PROGRAMCONTROLLER, MEANS CONTROLLED BY INITIATION OF OPERATION OF SAID PROGRAMCONTROLLER AND GOVERNED BY SAID SOAK CONTROL SWITCH EITHER IN ITSREGULAR WASH POSITION OR IN ITS AUTOMATIC SOAK POSITION FOR CAUSINGOPERATION OF SAID PROGRAM CONTROLLER THROUGH ALL FIVE PHASES OF ITS WASHCYCLE AND GOVERNED BY SAID SOAK CONTROL SWITCH IN ITS EXTENDED SOAKPOSITION FOR CAUSING OPERATION OF SAID PROGRAM CONTROLLER THROUGH ONLYTHE FIRST AND SECOND PHASES OF ITS WASH CYCLE, SAID PROGRAM